2008 Subaru Outback suspension problems

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · OH

Three failed wheel bearing by 100k. One at 30k, the second at 67k. The third at 90k. The dealership couldn't find anything at 90k. At 103k, there is a half inch of play in the front passengers side wheel and it sounds like a jet airplane. This is unacceptable. This is a serious safety issue that is not being taken seriously by subaru of north america. If this bearing failed at highway speed it would be catastrophic.

Filed May 8, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 25 miles · FL

Carpet had bad spot upon purchase, told by dealer defect and nothing could be done. That spot is now a hole in the carpet. Seat material is very cheap and low quality started to wear before 1k. That too has left a hole in the seat. At 37k passenger cv boot went due to thin rubber boot followed by driver boot at 38k. Boot rubber is extremely thin compared to other manufacturers. When they go, they go quickly without warning the smell is horrific and the sticky residue left behind under the hood visually unappealing. As to the boots, our weather rubber car mats are thicker and certainly less expensive! At 68k clutch went; power-steering pump was leaking and A/C / alternator belts were cracked. This car has never missed a maintenance and has been immaculately cared for so imagine our disappointment. The clutch resulted in the car stalling in rush hour traffic. This car did not live up to the subaru reputation of safety and quality. I would not entertain the thought of every purchasing another subaru.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Driver assistance, Steering · 94,000 miles · MI

While driving on slightly slick roads in northern michigan the rear wheels would lose traction and start to fish tail. This happened without the gas applied, with or without the traction control engaged. The car felt as if it was sliding side to side in the back. The tires are in good condition and the vehicle is well maintained. Other vehicles were traveling without issue. This has been referred to as ghost walking in on line blogs. This is extremely unsafe and dangerous.

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · WI

I was driving on the interstate. It was winter in wisconsin. The roads were mostly clear, but it was starting to sleet. While driving, any time I would go under a bridge, the rear of the car would dramatically shift to one side or the other. I slowed down to 45 MPH, and the problem almost seemed to get worse. It would be fine until I went under a bridge where the road seemed to be a little icy. It was acting like the rear tires were compensating too much for the car. My tires had 75% treadlife left on all 4 tires. There was a little extra weight in the vehicle. There were 3 people in the car along with approximately 200lbs in the rear cargo area. When the roads got a little more ice on them, so that it wasn't just under bridges, the car was moving all over the place and I was convinced that there was going to be an accident. I have also noticed this when driving on dry pavement if there is any weight in the rear of the vehicle. When the rear tires hit a bump or a crack in the road, it will shift the rear end of the car to the right or left, usually to the right. I have researched this and it is a very common thing know as ghostwalking in subaru outbacks.

Filed Feb 12, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 44,000 miles · MT

I bought my 2008 subaru outback new. I have driven it in almost every road and weather condition possible. It is driven 90% of the time with just me or me and my wife in the car. Just a few days ago I was driving with a full load of luggage, and 3 adult passengers in the car. Road conditions became icy on the interstate. There was a fairly rapid onset of the car kind of jerking side to side almost like the back end of the car was being blown from side to side even though there was not much wind. I was driving very slowly at about 40-45 MPH while other cars and semi trucks were passing me. I had not experienced this before and I thought at any minute we would end up in the ditch. It happened without any input from me such as giving it gas or braking and while going straight. The car has new tires with less than 5000 miles on them. I just had the 45000 mile service completed by the dealership. The car is a 2.5i with an automatic transmission. I did research as soon as I arrived home and found this issue well described in a subaru outback forum. It was described as "ghostwalking".

Filed Mar 12, 2011 · Suspension · 33,000 miles · WA

2008 subaru outback 2.5i driving straight on compacted snow or icy roads starting at approx. 35mph. Rear of vehicle feels as if traction is breaking loose and fishtailing. Tires are 1 year old and made for snow/ice conditions and alignment was done 2 weeks prior. Problem is exacerbated when additional passengers or weight is added to vehicle. Unable to drive over 40-45 MPH; 2-wheel drive compacts passing me in an outback on a flat snow covered road due to inability to maintain control at speed. Alignment was done to correct the problem from a road trip one month prior to this occurrence. No similar road condition driving between the two.

Filed Dec 25, 2010 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · 00

Ghostwalking subaru outback, 2008. Driving my family (2 adults, 2 teens) to a family event, along with luggage, experienced rear end sway back and forth uncontrollably while driving on slightly slick roads (slushy conditions). It felt like rear end was swaying into traffic in adjacent lane. It was extremely unnerving. Occurs in speeds above 50 km/h. Problem continued while driving above 50 km/h with slick road. Had to slow down below 50 km/h on highway (which is illegal).

Filed May 24, 2010 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · MI

2008 subaru outback wagon sways dangerously on rough roads. The sensation is that when one hits a bump the rear end bounces/kicks/walks out to the right. While there have been no accidents with this vehicle, it does not feel safe to drive. The car has been serviced regularly, has newer tires, and has been aligned several times.

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Suspension, Tires · 30,000 miles · MN

Experienced severe fishtailing on slightly slippery roads with a 2008 subaru outback. This was highly unusual for an all wheel drive car and I didn't have the same problem with my wife's honda cr-v that I drove on the same day on the same roads.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · CO · crash

Subaru outback 2008 2.5i side-to-side motion: recurring issue is considerably dangerous and presents itself when driving on wet and or slippery roads. Yes, although the conditions are less than ideal they are normal driving situations. Testing has been conducted with identical conditions and other vehicles and similar behavior was not experienced. This testing has been repeated with identical results. Issue: when traveling on slippery roads - rain, snow, ice the subaru all wheel dirve/suspension configuration creates side to side "fish-tail" like behavior. This motion can cause the vehicle to spin-out. Other dirvers have expericed over correction issues when dealing with this unexpected back-end motion. The side to side motion does not seem to be a result of application of power. Wth power applied or coasting the motion is still evident.